Abstract
ABSTRACT: The objective of this study was to determine the leaf tissue flows in Italian ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum Lam.), in different phenological stages, grazed by lambs, and managed under three herbage allowances (6, 9 and 12 kg DM/100 kg body weight under rotational stocking method. The experimental design was completely randomized, with repeated measures arrangement. Forage allowances determined similar growth and intake flows, actual and potential utilization efficiencies of grass and they were different in the phenological stages of Italian ryegrass. The intake of leaf blade, as a percentage of body weight, was higher in the 12% herbage allowance. Considering leaf tissue flows, Italian ryegrass can be managed in forage allowances that vary between 6 and 12 kg DM/100 kg body weight.
Highlights
Research on forage farming has sought to relate plant response to management based on criteria associated with biomass abundance, such as herbage allowances (HA)
The instantaneous stocking rate in the vegetative stage was 2014 kg/ha of body weight (BW), being 36% lower than the stocking rate observed at the preflowering stage (3125 kg/ha of BW; P=0.0018)
There was no interaction between HA and phenological stage for canopy height, leaf emergence rate, forage mass in pre and post-grazing, allowances of leaf blades, and population density of ryegrass tiller (Table 1)
Summary
Research on forage farming has sought to relate plant response to management based on criteria associated with biomass abundance, such as herbage allowances (HA). To understand the effects of different types of management strategies on pasture dynamics and evolution, knowledge of the growth, intake, and senescence of forage species is fundamental. Determination of these parameters through biomass flow technique is fundamental for the understanding of pasture ecophysiology (CONFORTIN et al, 2009). The ryegrass is a spring-winter growth species that has high nutritional value and can be used in the efficient and economically viable production of lambs, which are animals with high nutritional requirements. The identification of the growth stage of grasses is fundamental for making decisions regarding pasture management. Progression of the phenological stage modifies the botanical and structural composition of ryegrass (SKONIESKI et al, 2011), occurring less participation of green leaves and reduction in their quality
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
